The Amazing Race 8
Tell Me Where the "Amazing" Went?
Commentary By Alisa
October 21, 2005
Oath of Loyalty
As some of you may know, I have always professed that The Amazing Race is my all-time favorite unscripted show. I have never missed an episode since Season One. Those are my credentials. The show itself is unlike any other in that its planning is brilliant, the teams for the most part are interesting, and the scenery is stunning, exotic, and a beautiful backdrop for the adventure that we are lucky enough to be invited to join.
The Family Plan
I heartily applaud the effort on the part of the producers to mix things up and give us a new format wherein families of four, whether they be parents with kids, in-laws, or siblings set out to discover the United States. At the same time their goal, of course, is to beat the other teams and win the big prize.
Usually, by this time in the Race, you can pick out the funny ones, the obnoxious ones and the team that you think is the overall best in terms of communication and team effort. I am having a hell of time doing it with these foursomes.
I have noticed that when there is fighting, as in the case of the Paolos, older son D.J. and mom Marion don't ever seem to stop yelling at each other. Meanwhile dad Tony and younger son Brian sit there impassively and don't even make an effort to shut these two up by at least telling D.J. not to speak to his mother that way. Later, Brian explains that the two are just too much alike but they truly love one another. Their battles are not funny; they are loud, annoying and repetitious.
The Godlewski sisters never stop shrieking at all their minor victories. The family fabric is unraveling fast as Christine sobs while Michelle tells her that she brought it on herself. She says she has to cry when she's tired. That is not a valid reason for this outburst in my book, but Michelle wants to get it all out before they reach the pit stop so that she won't be embarrassed. I have news for her--it's too late. The other two sisters are nonchalantly looking out the SUV's windows. Ho hum, why get involved? These women spoke of being so close at the beginning of this trek and we're only at Episode 4.
The Weavers are losing their minds. At a quick fueling stop they all felt down, so they devised some crazy dance which made everyone in the Race doubt their sanity. No question, they are going through a very difficult time in their lives since their husband and father just got killed at a race track. When they have to face Talladega Racetrack they almost bail, until Mom reasons with them. As it happens they have to ride a multi-seat bicycle called a "party bike" that should only be seen at a circus because it's so bizarre. Strangely enough, it still plods ahead even though it looks like it should go around in circles with everyone seated facing inward.
For some reason I cannot comprehend someone voiced the sentiment, "I hate them" (I think it was one of the Aiellos before they got eliminated) because the Weavers wouldn't divulge the time of their flight. Big deal! Stassi Schroeder called Mrs. Weaver "The Wicked Witch of the West" while Hunter referred to them as "white trash" and stepmom Char threw in her own two cents by saying that they felt sorry for the Weavers at first until they found out that they were evil. How nasty can you get?
Speaking of the Schroeder family; here is another example of poor teamwork. In their very own home state, the dad went in every possible direction except the right one. Stassi started screaming at her father and again no one else interceded. She must have been worn out from her tantrums by the time they were given the axe.
So far, the Linz family and the Bransens are the only ones behaving themselves with some decorum. In fact, the two families have developed a sort of bond starting with one of the Bransen girls (Laurie) who mooned the boys. In retaliation, one of the guys lifted up his shirt as in "Boys Gone Wild." But what went up even higher than that were their testosterone levels. I believe that these two teams will be the most fun to watch especially when the competition gets tougher and we NEED FUNNY!
Oh Beautiful, For Spacious Skies…
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